Regina F. McNeir

Regina Frances McNeir, 98, of South Bend, IN passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Acres of Indiana in New Carlisle. Regina was born in Linton, Indiana on February 23, 1926, a daughter of the late Stephen and Frances Mizerik.

 Growing up on a farm in Midland, Indiana offered a carefree life of picking apples, chasing chickens and helping her dad pick grapes and vegetables. She knew how to kill a chicken for dinner and milk cows by the time she was 10. By living on a farm she did not experience the difficulties of the Great Depression. She was a 1942 graduate of Midland High School and married Hugh Thompson on June 6, 1943. They met when she was the prom Queen for Midland High School and Hugh was the King of his prom at Jasonville High School. They moved to South Bend, bought a house, and had 4 children. She loved to sew, can vegetables and fruit, roast corn on the grill for family picnics in the backyard. In the mid 1950’s she started working outside the home like at the Dairy Queen, the dime store, a law office and bail bond office. Another endeavor was raising and showing champion poodles. She loved animals. She was a strong single mom. The best was when she began working at the University of Notre Dame in 1966 until retirement in 1991. She loved Notre Dame! Regina enjoyed working for the computer department and administrative services where she met her second husband, Jerry McNeir. They enjoyed so many years together. She followed all Notre Dame sports, men’s and women’s, along with having football season tickets. She actually knew many of the players and Coach Ara Parseghian. In her spare time, Regina was an avid bowler, earning many trophies and ribbons to prove it. She loved gardening and definitely had a “green thumb”. We were all so proud of her.

 Regina is survived by her children, Dani Asbury (Rheis); Cary Thompson (Jan); Vickie Thompson; Greg Thompson (Sue); stepsons, Randy McNeir (Yaeko); and Bob McNeir. Regina has 12 grandchildren: David(Christian), Eric (Heather),and Nicky Loughlin (Chris); Mindy Thompson(Gus)and Julie Tiknis (Zac); V’ronica Binfet (Joe); Eugene Holycross(Brianne) and Michael Henderson (Maria); Josh Thompson (Lacy); Jeremy Thompson(SaraMae), Camron Thompson (Kari) and Greg Thompson; Ken and Sonja McNeir. There are also 24 great grandchildren and 8 great, great grandchildren. Many many nieces and nephews will also miss her fun loving spirit. At 98 years old, Regina broke a record of being the oldest person in the entire family ever. Her parents, two husbands and all siblings and their spouses have gone before her. She will forever be remembered for her legacy of love for her family.

 Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N Michigan St, Plymouth, IN 46563 with Life Celebrant James Smart officiating. Graveside services will immediately follow at New Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth.